A truly divine sage

Sri Ramakrishna could feel the pulse of the people, their spiritual whereabouts and their obsession for worldly pleasures in spite of unending suffering. Accordingly, he prescribed the remedy.

Although renunciation is the key to divine realisation, he advised mental renunciation which can be accepted by people. Once the spirit of renunciation enters the subconscious, the umbilical cord with delusive reality is smoothly cut off and self-realisation blossoms forth.

He was deeply concerned with the suffering of the people due to diehard materialism and desires. As an antidote, he prescribed cultivation of divine love for God.

People follow diverse religion and ways of worship. Sri Ramakrishna confirmed that every way of worship is a valid way to divine destination provided the seeker has honesty, sincerity and intense yearning for realisation.

Divine realisation cannot be attained by rituals or reading of scriptures but by practice. He advised to pray to God with devotion as the path of devotion is most suitable to the majority. It calls for prayer and practice of the presence of God.

The Omnipresent has manifested Himself in and through His creation. When we see the single Spirit behind everything, the delusive reality becomes divine. Hence service of man is a way of worshipping God. Instead of being pitiful and egoistic, one should be humble, loving and worshipful as an expression of the Almighty and an opportunity to serve Him.

He highlighted the quintessence of religion ending in spirituality, pointed out the unity of all religions, and love for all creatures as a form of worship. He gave us a vision, mission and direction to live a fruitful life.